Madeline Kramer – The New Politicalhttps://thenewpolitical.com
An Independent Voice for Athens.Thu, 16 May 2019 22:38:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.10OPINION: Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the future of the Democratic Party?https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/04/12/opinion-mayor-pete-buttigieg-a-good-choice-for-president/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/04/12/opinion-mayor-pete-buttigieg-a-good-choice-for-president/#respondFri, 12 Apr 2019 12:15:53 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23763Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s meteoric rise in the Democratic presidential primary reflects his status as the future of the Democratic Party. Although it is only April, there are already 18 Democrats running for president. Some of these candidates are well-known, such as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker. However, there are some …

Although it is only April, there are already 18 Democrats running for president. Some of these candidates are well-known, such as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker. However, there are some new upstart candidates in the mix as well. One of these is Pete Buttigieg. The young mayor of South Bend, Indiana with the strange last name (pronounced boot-edge-edge) may represent the future of the Democratic party.

Known as “Mayor Pete” in South Bend, Buttigieg is a 37-year-old gay Navy veteran. He served in Afghanistan for 7 months, earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Currently in his eighth year as mayor, he’s now looking towards higher office. In 2016, Buttigieg attempted to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Now aiming for the highest elected office, Buttigieg could be the youngest president in American history.

Healthcare, immigration, social issues, and environmental issues are among the policy points that Buttigieg is passionate about. He supports a single payer healthcare system, and has a plan on how to transition from the current system to a single payer system.

Like many other Democrats, Buttigieg supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and opposes the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to the southern border. Buttigeig gives an important perspective to this situation, as he himself is a veteran. He feels that troops should only be deployed “if all other modes democracy fails.”

Regarding social issues, an important part of Buttigieg’s platform is the Federal Equality Act, which, if passed, would extend civil rights and non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ community. He condemns the Trump Administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, calling it “extremely disturbing.” Buttigieg also supports the idea of people receiving gender reassignment surgery while in prison, stating it is part of standard healthcare that inmates have access to.

Buttigieg has enforced the idea that climate change is a long-term national security threat, emphasizing the impact climate change will have on future generations. After President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords, Pete joined 407 other mayors across America in signing a pact to uphold the agreement. He supports the Green New Deal and is progressive on clean energy initiatives, including subsidizing solar panels.

Pete has gone from a small town mayor to political upstart, being praised by former President Obama as a Democrat who represented the future of the party. Buttigieg has garnered a lot of support from younger voters who are looking for a change in national politics.

Alex Jackson, a senior journalism student at Ohio University, has been a supporter of Buttigieg from the beginning of the campaign. “As a college student, I’m used to people telling me I’m too young for this or not experienced enough for that,” Jackson said when asked why he supports Buttigieg. “Watching Mayor Pete attempt to defy these standards as a young person is refreshing and inspiring.”

While he may have been underestimated in the beginning, Mayor Pete has gained enough donations to qualify for the first primary debate this summer, alongside the other big name candidates.

It may still be early in the campaign season, but many people are already excited about the prospects of the youngest and first openly gay president.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/04/12/opinion-mayor-pete-buttigieg-a-good-choice-for-president/feed/0OPINION: Why defunding Planned Parenthood is a mistake for Ohiohttps://thenewpolitical.com/2019/03/29/opinion-why-defunding-planned-parenthood-is-a-mistake-for-ohio/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/03/29/opinion-why-defunding-planned-parenthood-is-a-mistake-for-ohio/#respondFri, 29 Mar 2019 11:45:53 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23687Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues that the decision to defund Planned Parenthood is detrimental to the health of women around Ohio. Under the administration of Gov. Mike DeWine, abortion and women’s rights have risen to the forefront of important topics in Ohio. Due to the controversial “Heartbeat Bill” passing in the Ohio House of Representatives …

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues that the decision to defund Planned Parenthood is detrimental to the health of women around Ohio.

Under the administration of Gov. Mike DeWine, abortion and women’s rights have risen to the forefront of important topics in Ohio. Due to the controversial “Heartbeat Bill” passing in the Ohio House of Representatives in November, which prohibits abortions if the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, the decision to defund Planned Parenthood is not much of a surprise. However, these decisions will be very damaging to Ohio’s women.

Ohio moved to defund Planned Parenthood after the 6th U.S Court of Appeals upheld an anti-abortion law that blocks state funds from being “used to perform or promote non- therapeutic abortions.” This effectively prohibited Planned Parenthood from continuing to receive state funds through the Ohio Department of Health.

This decision shows Ohio’s stance on abortion and that women’s health is not a priority. Planned Parenthood provides many more services than just abortion, including healthcare options for low income women and families.

Another important aspect of Planned Parenthood is its education and advocacy efforts. Planned Parenthood has been an active part of the Women’s March and surrounding events. Access to sexual health care, especially abortions, is becoming increasingly important in modern politics.

Planned Parenthood also offers educational programs and pamphlets regarding things such as STDs, general safe sex practices and childbirth. This type of supplemental information is very important, as only 24 states and the District of Columbia require sex education in schools. Of these states, only 13 require that the information be medically accurate. Thirty-seven states do require that abstinence be covered when sex education is taught, and 27 of these states require that abstinence be stressed.

The education that Planned Parenthood provides is very important for many young adults who do not get information regarding safe sexual practices and STD prevention in school.

This decision to defund Planned Parenthood will leave many low income women without sexual healthcare and many young adults without a source of inclusive sex education. Many Ohioans will feel the impact of this, as it is now unclear if Planned Parenthood will appeal this ruling.

This is another step backward for Ohio’s women and truly shows where Ohio’s priorities are. These decisions by Ohio legislators express their lack of concern for women’s health and instead align with religious groups and ideologies.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/03/29/opinion-why-defunding-planned-parenthood-is-a-mistake-for-ohio/feed/0OPINION: Why Bernie should have left his presidential hopes in 2016https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/21/opinion-why-bernie-should-have-left-his-presidential-hopes-in-2016/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/21/opinion-why-bernie-should-have-left-his-presidential-hopes-in-2016/#respondThu, 21 Feb 2019 12:45:16 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23539Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues that while Bernie Sanders has some great ideas, his divisiveness endangers Democrat’s hopes of winning the presidency, and he should step aside in favor of a young, fresh challenger. Sen. Bernie Sanders made waves in 2016, shaking up the Democrat party with ideas of socialism and a very progressive platform. …

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues that while Bernie Sanders has some great ideas, his divisiveness endangers Democrat’s hopes of winning the presidency, and he should step aside in favor of a young, fresh challenger.

Sen. Bernie Sanders made waves in 2016, shaking up the Democrat party with ideas of socialism and a very progressive platform. The independent from Vermont announced his second run for president on Feb. 19. Many were anticipating another run from him, however, he already stands out in the field of primary candidates in a much different way than in 2016.

The Democratic primary field is already becoming crowded, with 11 candidates announced. The 2016 election, when there were only 5 candidates, pales in comparison. Bernie was a strong competitor to Hillary Clinton, but ended up losing the Democratic primary by 1,000 delegates.

Bernie created a large following with his grassroots campaign in 2016. The Democratic party became divided between those who supported Sanders and those who supported Clinton.

This gap only widened when leaked emails emerged between former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Clinton campaign, which seemed to suggest the party primary was in Clinton’s favor all along. This rivalry split the party into far-left progressives for Sanders and more traditional, moderate Democrats for Clinton.

Bernie has the possibility to do the same thing this election.

Currently, the primary field is full of young women and people of color. These politicians running for 2020 represent new ideas and generations that feel underrepresented. This is a much different picture than a 77-year-old white man. The young, revitalized Democratic candidates include 45-year-old Latino Julian Castro, 55-year-old African-American woman Kamala Harris, and 37-year-old gay man Pete Buttigieg.

These candidates have new and fresh ideas that can bring different perspectives to the Democratic party and America, and these new candidates deserve a shot at the presidency.

Bernie created an amazing grassroots campaign and movement among young voters, but he needs to let new progressive voices rise.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/21/opinion-why-bernie-should-have-left-his-presidential-hopes-in-2016/feed/0OPINION: Sandusky takes a big step in making Election Day a holidayhttps://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/14/opinion-sandusky-takes-a-big-step-in-making-election-day-a-holiday/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/14/opinion-sandusky-takes-a-big-step-in-making-election-day-a-holiday/#commentsThu, 14 Feb 2019 12:45:48 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23480Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues Sandusky’s decision to make Voting Day a paid holiday should be replicated across Ohio, and the country at large. Many Ohioans know Sandusky as the “Rockin’ Roller Coast,” home to roller coasters notorious for setting records. Now Sandusky is in the news regarding local politics. As of Jan. 30, Sandusky …

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues Sandusky’s decision to make Voting Day a paid holiday should be replicated across Ohio, and the country at large.

Many Ohioans know Sandusky as the “Rockin’ Roller Coast,” home to roller coasters notorious for setting records. Now Sandusky is in the news regarding local politics. As of Jan. 30, Sandusky removed Columbus Day as a government holiday and made Election Day a government holiday.

This is a progressive step for a town of fewer than 25,000 people. The city manager, Eric Wobser, even accredited this change to the messy history surrounding Christopher Columbus and the holiday becoming controversial in recent years.

Sandusky joins many states and cities in changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day or removing the holiday altogether. This includes cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and Salt Lake City.

However, many cities and states are not giving paid days off to vote like Sandusky is now. States have different statutes on getting time off to vote, such as an hour amount. Voting in general presidential elections can take longer than expected, as observed in the 2016 elections when voting machines malfunctioned in many states such as Colorado and Pennsylvania.

Many voters who do not receive paid time off from their jobs have to vote early in the morning when the polls open or after work, typically 5 or 6 p.m. This poses several problems. Lines are longer during these times, meaning potentially arriving late to work or standing in line outside the polling station until dark. This is unethical. Countless voters have families to get to and make dinner for when they get off work and they do not have the time to stand in a line to accomplish their civic duty.

This is why it is so important to applaud Sandusky for its work to combat this issue. This gives voters the option to go to the voting booths at any time of day that may convenient to them.

Autumn Rakosky, a sophomore at Ohio University and Sandusky resident, thinks the change will be beneficial to Sandusky residents. “Making voting day a holiday would encourage people to go out and vote,” she said. “It would give them more time to actually vote since they wouldn’t be pressed for time to get to the polls after work or school.”

Critics may say that there is no need for Election Day to be a paid holiday because there is the mail-in ballot option in many states, including Ohio. However, many people prefer voting on Election Day for the sentimental value. There is something to be said for the feeling of checking boxes on a ballot in a small booth that does not compare to filling in circles on a mail-in ballot at your dining room table.

Sandusky’s changing out Columbus Day for Election Day is a big step for Ohio. It shows bigger cities, like Cincinnati and Cleveland, that change is possible. It will be interesting to see how the next general election works in Sandusky and if many cities will make changes following.

Madeline Kramer is a sophomore studying political science at Ohio University. The views and opinions of this piece are not those of The New Political.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/14/opinion-sandusky-takes-a-big-step-in-making-election-day-a-holiday/feed/1OPINION: Can Cory Booker compare himself to former President Obama?https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/07/opinion-can-cory-booker-compare-himself-to-former-president-obama/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/07/opinion-can-cory-booker-compare-himself-to-former-president-obama/#respondThu, 07 Feb 2019 12:45:17 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23391Opinion writer Maddie Kramer notes that while Cory Booker seeks to cast himself as Obama 2.0, there are many key differences between the two politicians. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker joined the currently eight other Democrats in running for president in 2020 at the beginning of this month. Running with the slogan “We Rise,” it seems …

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer notes that while Cory Booker seeks to cast himself as Obama 2.0, there are many key differences between the two politicians.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker joined the currently eight other Democrats in running for president in 2020 at the beginning of this month. Running with the slogan “We Rise,” it seems that Booker may be trying to remind Democrat voters of former president Barack Obama, whose slogan during his first run was “Yes We Can.”

But can Cory Booker actually be compared to 2008 Barack Obama?

After attending Yale Law School, Booker began his political career in Newark, N.J as a city councilman and later served as the mayor. As mayor, Booker focused on local schools, and managed to secure a donation from Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg for $100 million.

Booker also worked to solve Newark’s budget difficulties by cutting his personal salary twice and cut the salaries of city managers by two percent, making it possible to raise the wages of lower earning city workers. Following his second mayoral term, Booker decided to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Prior to also running for a U.S. Senate position, political hopeful Barack Obama attended Harvard Law school and worked on various grassroot campaigns focused on getting Chicago minorities to vote.

As an Illinois state senator, Obama’s time was spent writing and advocating for legislation regarding children, the elderly, labor unions, and those living below the poverty line. Obama soon became an upstart, eyeing a U.S. House seat in 2000 and later winning a U.S. Senate seat in 2004.

And the rest is history, as Obama went on to become the first African-American president of the United States.

Booker’s Senate career is much different from Obama’s; Booker sits on the Judiciary Committee, whereas Obama was known for creating legislation. Booker has been a known critic of the Trump administration. He has questioned the likes of Jeff Sessions when nominated for Attorney General, and new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Booker’s critics feel that he may have not done as much as he could as Newark mayor and are skeptical of some campaign donations in the past. Booker announced in 2018 he would no longer accept corporate PAC campaign donations and has promised to not accept any super PAC money for his presidential campaign.

However, a San Francisco democratic activist and civil rights lawyer established a super PAC of up to $10 million in December 2018 for Booker’s run. Booker’s spokesman Jeff Giertz stated in December that at the time the campaign had not “organized or endorsed the creation of a super PAC.”

Uncoincidentally, Booker announced his presidential bid on the first day of Black History Month. This sets a tone for the campaign, and it may be another way to align himself in the minds of voters with former President Obama.

The Democratic primary is getting crowded, as candidates may continue to announce into late March. The current field of candidates is the most diverse a presidential election has ever seen.

Madeline Kramer is a sophomore studying political science at Ohio University. The views and opinions of opinion writers are not the views of The New Political.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/02/07/opinion-can-cory-booker-compare-himself-to-former-president-obama/feed/0OPINION: Is Kamala Harris the right Democrat for president?https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/24/opinion-is-sen-kamala-harris-the-right-candidate-to-beat-trump/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/24/opinion-is-sen-kamala-harris-the-right-candidate-to-beat-trump/#respondThu, 24 Jan 2019 12:44:34 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23285Opinion writer Maddie Kramer analyzes whether Californian Sen. Kamala Harris is the best Democrat to fight for the presidency in 2020. Another Democrat has announced a bid for the 2020 Presidential election, California Senator Kamala Harris. Harris has a lot of people excited, as she is the second black woman to be elected to the …

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer analyzes whether Californian Sen. Kamala Harris is the best Democrat to fight for the presidency in 2020.

Another Democrat has announced a bid for the 2020 Presidential election, California Senator Kamala Harris. Harris has a lot of people excited, as she is the second black woman to be elected to the Senate and the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. She is a somewhat familiar name and face to some Democrats and is already gaining a lot of attention.

Sen. Harris plans to use her prosecution and law background to her advantage, as she gives examples of how her previous work has helped those in need. These cases include advocating for homeowners affected by the housing crisis in 2008, students who fell victim to for-profit colleges, and women and children escaping sexual abuse.

Sen. Harris has been scrutinized for some of her policies and actions as attorney general. As attorney general, Harris opposed legislation that would require the office to independently investigate situations involving police brutality and fatal police shootings. Many Californians and Democrats feel that she should have been more progressive and outspoken involving the police brutality deaths in California.

Many critics of Sen. Harris feel that she was too soft on law enforcement and in some cases aligned herself with them as California’s attorney general. This has earned her nicknames such as “Cop Kamala.”

Harris defends herself by saying that as a prosecutor, it was her responsibility to defend the interests of all clients, even if their personal beliefs do not align with hers. She responds to the critics by saying she is a “progressive prosecutor,” but some still think she was too tough on crime in the past.

Sen. Harris’ tagline for her campaign is “For the People,” and she has joined a group of politicians that do not take corporate campaign donations. While working in the Senate she has focused on economic policy for minority and lower income families as well as proposing a bill related to bail reform. Her platform includes the “Medicare for All” healthcare plan and legalizing recreational marijuana.

Senator Kamala Harris is a promising candidate for Democrats seeking a change to the status quo. Her minority background and law experience has many excited. However, for some, she may have to do a lot of apologizing and activism to do away with some of her past experience as California’s attorney general.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/24/opinion-is-sen-kamala-harris-the-right-candidate-to-beat-trump/feed/0OPINION: Which Democrats are running in 2020?https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/16/opinion-which-democrats-are-running-in-2020/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/16/opinion-which-democrats-are-running-in-2020/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 12:45:31 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=23210Opinion writer Madeline Kramer discusses the “who’s who” in the Democratic party who are considering a presidential run. Many prominent Democrats are celebrating the new year by announcing their intent to run for president. As of Jan. 14, five democrats have announced they are launching their run for president. These candidates range from high profile …

]]>Opinion writer Madeline Kramer discusses the “who’s who” in the Democratic party who are considering a presidential run.

Many prominent Democrats are celebrating the new year by announcing their intent to run for president. As of Jan. 14, five democrats have announced they are launching their run for president. These candidates range from high profile politicians like Elizabeth Warren, the senator from Massachusetts, to lesser-known names such as Tulsi Gabbard, a congresswoman from Hawaii.

The sheer amount of candidates can be overwhelming and confusing. It is important to understand the key issues that set the candidates apart. While it is still early in the campaign season, it is important to be educated from the beginning.

Elizabeth Warren

Warren posted a 4 minute video to her website explaining who she was and why she was running for president. The video covers the fact that Warren was a Harvard Law professor, and also that she came from humble beginnings, growing up in a small Oklahoma town with a mother working minimum wage retail.

The message Sen. Warren sends in her video is one of hope for all Americans, as she repeatedly states “we can make our democracy work for all of us”.

Historically, Sen. Warren has been a top name in the Democratic party because she is loud about the issues. Sen. Warren’s views are that commonly associated with the Democratic party, such as that she is pro-choice, supports LGBT rights such as the right to marry and right to be protected from discrimination, and advocates extending the federal assault weapons ban. However, Sen. Warren mostly focuses on financial equality and ensuring the middle and working class can live on the income they bring in.

Julian Castro

Julian Castro, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama Administration and former mayor of San Antonio, another prominent Democrat, announced his run for the presidency. Castro, a Mexican-American, announced his candidacy in a speech that was delivered in both English and Spanish in an ode to his heritage but also a hope to mobilize the Latino community. Castro focused on immigration and his immigrant background.

Castro comes from a family of activists. His twin brother, Joaquin, is also involved in politics in the national and state level. His mother, Rosie, campaigned for better job and housing opportunities for Mexican Americans in the 1970’s. His grandmother was a Mexican immigrant.

Policy-wise, Castro is very involved in LGBTQ rights. He was the first San Antonio mayor to participate in the city’s Pride Parade both in 2009 and 2011, and signed the “Mayors for the Freedom to Marry” petition in 2012. Castro also focuses on creating educational opportunities for young adults to create businesses to invest back in their city, as well as expanding and updating the pre-kindergarten programs in San Antonio.

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard, a representative from Hawaii and Iraq War veteran, made a formal announcement during a CNN interview with commentator Van Jones on Jan. 12. Rep. Gabbard is the first Hindu and American Samoan member of Congress. During this interview, Rep. Gabbard discussed policies of interest such as criminal justice reform, addressing climate change, and access to healthcare.

Rep. Gabbard also has an interesting resume entering the campaign. In 2015 she was the vice-chairwoman for the Democratic National Committee and currently sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In the 2016 presidential primaries, she was a strong supporter of then-candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders.

However, Rep. Gabbard has a complicated past. When she was 21, Gabbard worked for her father’s anti-LGBTQ organization, The Alliance for Traditional Marriage. While she did apologize, she was very aggressive in her comments against the LGBT community in the early 2000’s. While serving in the state legislature, Gabbard accused those calling for legal civil unions of being “homosexual extremists”.

Gabbard apologized in 2012 while running for Congress. However, Democratic voters should take this with a grain of salt. These comments against the LGBTQ community were targeted and hateful.

It doesn’t stop there. Rep. Gabbard voted for the Safe Act in 2015, which would put immigration restrictions on Syrian refugees. This act was criticized by many Democrats as playing into ISIS’s agenda.

She tweeted in 2015 commending Putin’s bombing of Syria, tweeting that it is “mind-boggling that we protest Russia’s bombing of these terrorists.” This has earned her praise from many conservatives, such as KKK grand wizard David Duke, famous white supremacist Richard Spencer, and Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser.

Many people can see past Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s conservative views of the early 2000s and feel that she has changed her tune. However, there is no denying that she is a more conservative Democrat.

John Delaney

John Delaney, a former congressman from Maryland, threw his hat in the presidential ring in July 2017. A businessman with law school and finance background, Delaney focused on bipartisan efforts while in Congress. He believes his work in the private sector before working in politics has helped him negotiate and continue to be bipartisan. This is something he hopes to continue if he is elected president.

Delaney’s policy interests range from universal health care to battling climate change, as well as investing in infrastructure and social security. For bipartisan causes, Delaney cites criminal justice and immigration reform. Because of this emphasis on bipartisanship, Delaney sets himself apart from other democratic candidates.

Richard Ojeda

Richard Ojeda, a former West Virginia State senator and tattooed army veteran, announced his run shortly after losing his race for Congress. Ojeda feels that the Democratic party could do more for the working class, and that is what he aims to do.

In the Senate, he advocated for West Virginia’s teachers before they went on strike in early 2018. Ojeda also has the support of the local coal miners and other unions because of his opposition to right to work laws. While he is not very well known, Ojeda is popular in West Virginia.

It is not even a month yet into 2019 and the list of candidates is still growing. Many changes can still happen, but it is important to keep track and research all candidates. The primary season will be upon us faster than we will expect.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2019/01/16/opinion-which-democrats-are-running-in-2020/feed/0OPINION: How Ohio’s “Heartbeat Bill” endangers womenhttps://thenewpolitical.com/2018/11/21/opinion-how-ohios-heartbeat-bill-endangers-women/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2018/11/21/opinion-how-ohios-heartbeat-bill-endangers-women/#respondWed, 21 Nov 2018 12:43:37 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=22994Opinion writer Madeline Kramer argues that Ohio’s decision to revisit passing the “Heartbeat Bill” represents a danger to the rights of women. It does not come as a surprise that the Ohio House of Representatives passed an anti-abortion bill on Nov. 15 — the state legislature stayed mostly Republican during this year’s midterm election. The …

]]>Opinion writer Madeline Kramer argues that Ohio’s decision to revisit passing the “Heartbeat Bill” represents a danger to the rights of women.

It does not come as a surprise that the Ohio House of Representatives passed an anti-abortion bill on Nov. 15 — the state legislature stayed mostly Republican during this year’s midterm election. The bill prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The controversial “Heartbeat Bill” passed 60-35.

This bill is controversial for several reasons, first being the timing of the fetal heartbeat. A fetal heartbeat can usually be heard around six weeks, which is only two weeks after a woman’s missed period. During this time period, many women may just be discovering that they are pregnant.

A six week ban on abortion does not give women enough time to make a decision, effectively banning abortion for most women.

Second, the bill does not include any exceptions or specifications for victims of rape or incest. The limited time frame would also affect these women, as they have already been through a traumatic experience and should not be expected to make such a large decision soon after the fact, or not have an option at all.

Doctors are able to make exceptions if there is a medical emergency or if the woman’s life is in danger. Besides this, medical practitioners who still perform abortions could face a fifth degree felony, resulting in up to a year jail time and a $2,500 fine.

The future of the bill is unclear. In 2016, Governor John Kasich vetoed the bill. His reasoning at the time was that the bill contradicts U.S. Supreme Court decisions and would not hold up if the law went to court. If the bill passes in the Ohio Senate before the end of the year, it will likely end up on Gov. Kasich’s desk. The bill would need to be re-proposed to Governor elect, Mike DeWine, after the new year if Kasich vetoes it.

Governor-elect Mike DeWine stated during his campaign that he would sign the Heartbeat Bill into law if this bill is proposed under his governorship. This is a key difference between Kasich and DeWine. Although both Republicans, the timing of this bill going to Ohio Senate could affect its passing.

The Heartbeat Bill is dangerous for women. If the bill passes, women will no longer have a choice. This bill effectively bans safe abortions for the average woman. If safe and medical abortions are not available, women will resort to unsafe abortion methods similar to circumstances prior the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, making many laws that restrict or ban abortive services unconstitutional.

The Heartbeat Bill is setting Ohio back to the 1960’s. Ohio needs to be progressive on women’s issues, not moving backward.

]]>https://thenewpolitical.com/2018/11/21/opinion-how-ohios-heartbeat-bill-endangers-women/feed/0OPINION: What Michigan’s marijuana move means for the Midwesthttps://thenewpolitical.com/2018/11/14/opinion-what-michigans-marijuana-move-means-for-the-midwest/
https://thenewpolitical.com/2018/11/14/opinion-what-michigans-marijuana-move-means-for-the-midwest/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 12:45:48 +0000https://thenewpolitical.com/?p=22947Opinion writer Madeline Kramer claims Michigan’s move to legalize recreational marijuana will provide a model for other Midwestern states to follow. Michiganders voted “Yes” on Proposal 1 during this year’s election, making recreational marijuana legal for adults age 21 years or older. The proposal passed by a wide margin, making it clear that Michigan is …

]]>Opinion writer Madeline Kramer claims Michigan’s move to legalize recreational marijuana will provide a model for other Midwestern states to follow.

Michiganders voted “Yes” on Proposal 1 during this year’s election, making recreational marijuana legal for adults age 21 years or older. The proposal passed by a wide margin, making it clear that Michigan is ready to take their current medical marijuana laws a step further. Michigan legalized marijuana for medical use in 2008, and the state plans to apply many of its current regulations to recreational marijuana.

Michigan’s legalization of recreational marijuana is an important win for the Midwest. Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to make such a large step in changing the narrative surrounding marijuana. Ohio attempted to legalize both recreational and medicinal marijuana in 2015, but the proposal failed due to concerns surrounding monopolies.

Michigan has a sound medical marijuana program and seems to have high hopes that the recreational marijuana legalization will go just as smoothly. If Michigan’s new recreational marijuana laws are well received, the idea quite possibly could move down to Ohio.

Michigan became the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana, joining Colorado, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada, Vermont, Washington, and New Hampshire. However, Michigan is different from these states in two big ways — tax and amount legal to possess.

The new law makes Michigan one of the most progressive states regarding recreational marijuana legalization.

Michigan is adding a 10 percent excise tax on marijuana sales in addition to the current 6% sales tax. This is one of the lowest taxes on marijuana. Recreational marijuana in Washington carries a 37 percent sales tax, and Colorado’s marijuana has a 15 percent sales tax and a 15 percent excise tax.

Proposal 1 also stated that adults would be able to own up to 12 personal plants. This is also more than most other states. Californians can own up to 6 personal plants and Nevadans can own up to 6 plants per person or up to 12 plants per residence.

This is extremely important to surrounding states like Ohio. Ohio legalized marijuana for medical purposes in September 2016. However, Ohio has hit many roadblocks in getting the medical marijuana program running.

Ohio law requires all medical marijuana be pre-tested before hitting dispensaries, which is slowing down the process, as none of the five testing labs are open. A testing lab in Nelsonville and another in Streetsboro are tentatively set to open in mid-December. Still, Ohio has gotten a slow start to implementing its medical marijuana program.

It is important to remember that some areas of Ohio are making progressive strides regarding marijuana. The Athens Cannabis Ordinance, or TACO to locals, passed in November 2017. This did not legalize marijuana, but decriminalizes it, effectively eliminating the penalty fees in place for up to 200 grams of marijuana or 10 grams of hash.

Michigan legalizing recreational marijuana is an important and progressive step for the Midwest. It shows to the rest of the country that an area largely thought of as conservative-leaning is making progressive changes.

Ohioans may see how Michigan structures their recreational marijuana laws in the next coming months and become more interested in the possibility. If the program goes well, the idea and possibility can spread to surrounding states. This puts the Midwest on the map for progressive decisions and changes regarding marijuana.

While Ohio may not have legalized recreational marijuana, our neighbors to the north are becoming an example for the whole Midwest region.

]]>Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues Taylor Sappington is the state representative candidate women can trust. Incumbent State Representative Jay Edwards, a Republican, debated Democrat Taylor Sappington, current Nelsonville City Council member, at Ohio University on Oct. 29.

The candidates for Ohio House District 94 debated several hot button topics, including women’s rights regarding abortion and sexual assault on college campuses. The candidates agreed on the idea of “changing the culture” surrounding sexual assault on college campuses, but disagreed on the issue of abortion.

Edwards has a history of being “pro-life”, which he repeated at the debate. However, he also stated that he was not elected to office “to work on” abortion issues. This should be concerning for women voters. When elected, a representative needs to work on and advocate for any issue that their constituents bring to them.

Issues surrounding women’s health and abortion are very relevant in the Statehouse. In December 2017, House Bill 258, known as the “Heartbeat Bill” came to the Ohio legislature.

This bill would make it illegal to have an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks into pregnancy. This is extremely early, as many women only discover they are pregnant around this time. Edwards voted in favor of this bill.

However, Edwards did agree with Sappington in that he would advocate for funds to be allocated for sexual assault on college campuses. Sappington expanded on this, saying that the culture in the Statehouse needs to be changed as well, meaning holding politicians accountable.

Sappington’s stance on abortion is much different than Edward’s. Sappington is pro-choice and stated that it is important to change the current “radical” state legislature. Sappington also expressed interest in reducing the “pink tax”, a form of gender discrimination that targets feminine products and other products usually aimed towards women.

Sappington also stressed that women’s health — and healthcare in general — needs to be addressed in the Statehouse. He has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Human Rights Campaign, and Planned Parenthood Advocates for Ohio. Sappington continually shows that he is the candidate for women. Edwards has been endorsed by Ohio Right to Life, a pro-life organization.

The endorsements speak for themselves. Sappington is a better candidate for protecting women’s rights and will fight for them in the Ohio Statehouse. Edwards has a history of voting to impede on women’s rights. This is why it is important to go to the polls on Nov. 6.

Remember to find your polling station and make it to the polls. You can find your polling station here. Consider casting your vote for Taylor Sappington for Ohio House District 94.